Oral Medication Administration

Where do we find drug information in the hospital?  Textbooks  American Hospital Formulary  Physician Desk Reference (PDR)  Drug Handbooks  Facts and Comparisons  Medication package inserts and labels  Pharmacists

Administering Medications  Physician’s Role Four most common type of medication orders:  Standing  PRN  Single or one time only  Stat  Pharmacist’s Role

Administering Medications  Distribution Systems Stock Supply Individual Client Supply Unit Dose System  Nurse’s role

Oral Drug Administration  Types of medication actions Therapeutic effects Side effects Adverse effects Toxic effects Idiosyncratic reactions Allergic reactions  Medication allergy  Anaphylactic reaction

Oral Drug Administration  Routes of Administration Oral Routes Parenteral Routes  Injections, Epidural, Intrathecal, Intraosseous, Intraperitoneal, Intrapleural, Intraarterial Topical Administration  Applying to skin/ mucous membranes  Transdermal  Instillation Inhalation Route Intraocular Route

Oral Drug Administration  Administration through a nasogastric tube: Check for placement of NG tube and stomach content’s residual amount Crush meds and mix with water to instill into tube Draw crush med/ water into a cather-tipped syringe Instill into NG tube After instilling meds, follow up with water to clear NG of medications If NG is connected to suction then allow 20 minutes for meds to be absorb, then reconnect to suction. If NG is being used for feeding, then enteral feeding may begin after medication administration.

Standards for Medication Administration  6 rights of administration Right medication Right dose Right client Right route Right time Right documentation